The Hylas ‘Highly Adaptable Satellite’ is a Ka-/Ku-band geo-stationary multi-media/subscription HDTV satellite ordered by the British broadband communications operator Avanti under a turnkey procurement from Astrium UK in 2006.
Under the contract, Astrium is prime contractor with responsibility for overall programme management and will design and build the communications payload, while its Indian partner Antrix/ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) will supply the satellite bus (based on the I-2K model) and integrate and test the satellite.
This is the second contract (following W2M) for Astrium teaming with Antrix/ISRO on the international commercial market.
The first UK-owned and operated broadcast satellite for 15 years, Hylas is scheduled for launch in 2008, and will operate at the 33.5° W orbital position.
